Freeman Brothers has been a funeral director since 1855. Our long-established presence in Sussex and Surrey means that people often turn to us with questions about funerals. Taking feedback from colleagues in Horsham, Billingshurst, Crawley and Hurstpierpoint, we will be looking at some funeral floristry FAQs– what is possible and available, whether we can recommend a florist and what we can suggest can be done with the flowers after the funeral service.
Should we have flowers or donations?
That’s a personal choice. Once, most people would have sent flowers for every funeral. But with the rise in popularity of making charitable donations in lieu of flowers, it is now more usual to have fewer tributes or perhaps even one, to which everyone close to the deceased person contributes. Some people tell us they view lots of flowers as wasteful. But for others, they are something bright on the day, a way for mourners to show they are thinking of the person who has died or an extra opportunity to personalise the funeral. Many people feel that a coffin without flowers looks bare- although it can always be dressed with other things.
What happens to flowers after the funeral?
If the funeral is a burial, the flowers usually remain on the grave once the plot has been ‘made good’. If a cremation, it can be harder to know what to do. Unless another choice is made, flowers remain at the crematorium until the staff there decide they are past their prime and then they will be disposed of. This may seem sad or wasteful and families often ask us about possible alternatives to this.
What can we do with flowers after a cremation?
You could choose a meaningful place to leave them. Is someone else in the family is buried somewhere, either a grave or ashes plot? We will be happy to deliver the flowers there for you if possible- you could also lay them flowers yourselves. If this is the case- or if due to distance it isn’t feasible for us to assist in this way, we can still help by bringing them flowers back to our offices so you don’t have to return to the crematorium, or by helping you place them in your vehicle.
You can encourage attendees to take a flower as a memento of the day, this is especially nice if the tribute is designed with this in mind: a loose sheaf of long-stemmed, single-headed blooms will be easy to separate. Gerberas, which come in a variety of colours, would be a good suggestion for this, and a fine wire inserted into the stem preserves them indefinitely. Roses don’t last as long, but are have complementary associations with love. Tell the florist of your plan so they can remove the thorns! Alternatively, you can commission a tribute made of small potted plants to deconstruct and gift at the end of the service.
If the person who has died had a connection to a home, hospice, or hospital, they may be willing to accept flower, although this cannot be assumed and might depend on what the arrangement looks like and the availability of someone to arrange them. Tributes where the flowers are secured using oasis may not be suitable as the stems tend to be trimmed and may then be too short for vases, so it might be practical to choose a spray instead.
What if the person who died didn’t like cut flowers?
The idea of potted plants above is a good one to reflect this preference, or a less formal tribute with more foliage might be appropriate. A woven coffin, decorated only with greenery, can look both natural and dressed, while avoiding flowers altogether. You can also be creative– we have seen beautiful arrangements featuring vegetables for a keen gardener. Anything goes and the only limit is your imagination and someone having the skill to translate it into reality.
Can you recommend a florist?
We can, but the best recommendation will always be your own previous experience. We suggest that you ask what any firm can offer. Florists work to briefs in different ways and can suggest particular flowers to suit. They are usually very good at interpreting themes given to them by people with less knowledge than they have themselves- they will typically understand what is wanted when given words like ‘bright’, ‘soft’, or ‘Spring’. Some florists are more traditional, others more modern, but the best firms will adapt their style accordingly.
How much do flowers cost?
There are a lot of factors that affect the price of funeral flowers. Specifying a particular type of flower, regardless of seasonality or growing location, will probably lead to increased costs, and the size of the tribute makes a difference. A good florist will be able to both give costs for type of tribute but also work to your budget, using that as their main guide. Don’t be afraid to discuss how costs can be reduced– seasonal flowers are usually more economical, and sprays can often be enlarged with beautiful greenery which, while less costly, is still very attractive.
Can I provide the flowers myself?
Definitely. We have seen many beautiful and personal tributes created using garden flowers, or those bought direct from a nursery or supermarket. Do remember this adds to the list of tasks to be competed for the funeral, both in making them and then their delivery on the day of the funeral. It is a lovely idea if you feel able, but don’t put yourself under pressure. If you have a family friend with floristry experience, perhaps they might assist you- people are always looking for ways that they can be of meaningful help when someone has died.
Do we have to have flowers at all?
No- an increasing number of funerals are taking place with no flowers, particularly if there is no formal service. There is nothing wrong with this approach– we simply ask that your wishes are conveyed to us so we know what to expect. A lack of flowers doesn’t have to mean a bare coffin-perhaps it could be draped with a flag or decorated with fabric, or perhaps the deceased person’s motorcycle helmet, military regalia, photo, or even teddy bear could be displayed on it for the funeral instead.
If there are any further questions about flowers, or any other aspect of our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
